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What are recent experiences with the soft power cooking visa in Thailand regarding attendance checks?
Soft Power Cooking VisaThailand ImmigrationVisa RequirementsDTV VisaEntry ExperienceVisa ComplianceExpat Advice
Dec 12, 2025
5 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERhow are recent entry experiences with the soft power cooking option? do they check/ask for attendance or ask other questions? my understanding is that it is not required to attend the class to get the visa.
(I understand the argument of those who say Of course it doesnt make sense to give a 5 year visa with a 6month course that you dont even need to attend at all, but if they decide to offer this visa then it does not matter, because they offer it?)
Thank you
(I understand the argument of those who say Of course it doesnt make sense to give a 5 year visa with a 6month course that you dont even need to attend at all, but if they decide to offer this visa then it does not matter, because they offer it?)
Thank you
TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent experiences regarding the Soft Power Cooking visa, particularly the 5-year visa option, indicate a mix of opinions about the necessity of attending the cooking classes. Some users report that immigration officers (IOs) have begun requesting proof of attendance—such as photos at the class—during re-entry checks. While there is an acknowledgment that the visa technically doesn't require class attendance, recent incidents of enforcement raise concerns among expats. Historically, there have been stricter checks on education visas, and there are reports of individuals being blacklisted or deported for not complying with visa requirements. Thus, while the visa application might seem straightforward, the enforcement and compliance aspects could change at any time.
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Kaj **********
Its not stated on the DTV-Visa how you obtained it (softpower, remote work so on). DTV is valid for 5 years if you obtained it. The only requirements are submitted when applying for it. When you enter Thailand they do scan a copy of you Visa into their system (they don't have it on hand them self). My wife and kid got DTV visa simply because I got it. No fuss.
Wayne *******
People have recently reported that IOs have requested proof when re-entering Thailand. Proof includes photos of you at your 'class' and contact details of the gym/class you are "supposed" to be attending
Christopher ***********
@Wayne ******
Troll posts.Kaj **********
There are no requirements for to show proof of attending anything other then for to get the Visa, I don't understand why its so complicated to understand for some? Its not even stated on the printed visa how you obtained it (soft, remote work and so on) and they do not have your visa in their system anyhow. They do scan your visa every time you enter.
Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
If you don't believe IO might check for complying to visa requirements, just ask yourself at Immigration or MFA. It just is their task. Chances they will check at the border are minimal because it takes time and there are other priorities.Christopher ***********
@Luit ****************
What you or I believe is irrelevant. It’s what actually happens that matters. Nobody with a DTV has been denied entry. Tales of being interrogated for two hours are troll posts.Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
It is easy to say when something is not according to your expectations, it is just trolling. What you present as facts is just cherrypicking, only what you like is true, the rest you consider trolling.Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Wayne *******
@Christopher **********
In all honesty, Im getting to the point where both could be true! Trolls or its happeningA lot of crazies knocking about
James ********
Simple solution... participate in the soft power activity which you applied for the DTV visa.
Reply to
James ********
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Andrew *********
They cancelled 10,000 education visas a few months ago for lack of attendance records if anyone thinks its not going to happen they're deluded.
James ********
@Andrew ********
correct ✅ And I think there's going to be like treatment for those who have been remiss in not participating in the soft power activity for which they were granted the DTV Visa.Anonymous ******************
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
Just remember this is Thailand. Things can change quite often. Just because you got a 5 years soft power visa doesn’t mean they won’t enforce it especially if your soft power is not valid anymore!
Christopher ***********
Anonymous participant 539 Why would anyone care? There is no requirement to enroll on any subsequent course.
Anonymous ******************
@Christopher **********
You might care if you got a 6 months soft power visa and make long-term plans like buying a condo.Christopher ***********
Anonymous participant 539 Buying a condo means that you intend to live in Thailand, possibly for even longer than 5 years. You have therefore applied for the wrong visa. You are also making a case that the embassy shouldn't have issued your DTV. You should have been issued with a six months METV only, as has happened to others.
Anonymous ******************
@Christopher **********
You are missing the 45+ age group where one might try to use DTV to carry over to retirement visa. I am quite sure the embassy has issued DTVs to folks who have signed up for 6 months soft power classes.Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Christopher **********
what other visa can you live in thailand with if you are not married and under 50?Christopher ***********
Anonymous participant Trolling again? Why decide to live in Thailand? Why decide to buy a condo? Own choices. Not for me to suggest a suitable visa to accommodate personal choices. I do, however, hear that LTRs are a good visa to have.
Reply to
Christopher ***********
Reply
Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
When you ask MFA or Immigration, they tell you, you should comply with all visa requirements at each entry. So you indeed don't need to enroll on any subsequent course, but if you don't you are not allowed to enter. The fact that this normally is not enforced can change any moment, or might never change.Christopher ***********
@Luit ****************
Why mention something that might, or might not happen?Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
I don't know what happens in the future, not even tomorrow. Both options are possible.Reply to
Luit *****************
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James ********
Agreed... BUT be watchful for any changes. That's all we are saying...
Reply to
James ********
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Luit *****************
Technically the visa is only valid to enter the country as long as you comply to the visa requirements. IO can check at each entry if you comply, but currently chances are almost zero it will happen.
I did not hear of any checks on really attending the course, and also have no idea if they ever will do this.
For ED visa this did happen in the past, but I think it is rather complicated to do so.
But checks you are really enrolled are more easy to implement of course.
Not complying wit visa requirements is a risk everybody has to decide if it is worth to do so.
I did not hear of any checks on really attending the course, and also have no idea if they ever will do this.
For ED visa this did happen in the past, but I think it is rather complicated to do so.
But checks you are really enrolled are more easy to implement of course.
Not complying wit visa requirements is a risk everybody has to decide if it is worth to do so.
Christopher ***********
@Luit ****************
There is no 'risk' because there is no requirement. Totally superfluous comment.Anonymous ******************
@Christopher **********
There is no mentioned requirement but also no rule preventing an IO asking for documentation. Here is the real game.Christopher ***********
Anonymous participant 885 According to reports that isn’t happening.
Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
According to what reports it isn't happening.Christopher ***********
@Luit ****************
Reports from apparently genuine (not anonymous) posters stating all their various entries haven’t involved any questioning.Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
Oh sorry, I forgot that anonymous post are only to be taken serious when they confirm you ideasAnonymous ******************
@Christopher **********
Prior history indicates that it isn’t a problem until it is. Sure people are getting away with it now but getting a visa predicated on you attending some sort of soft power activity when in reality you had no intention to at all is fraud. The knuckle-draggers who say “it doesn’t say I have to attend” are the people who will end up ruining the visa for everyone else. It is common sense that you must actually fulfill the conditions of your visa.
Christopher ***********
Anonymous participant 262 In other words carry on as you are doing until told otherwise. The embassies must take some blame. Why issue a five year multiple entry tourist visa on the strength of a few dental appointments (for example). Is dentistry peculiar to Thailand only? Money in bank accounts can be checked easily enough if they ever want. They already do it for other visas/extensions. Anything else? Why on earth bother? DTV has already been paid for and granted. It has an expiry date.
Reply to
Christopher ***********
Reply
Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
Why should there be no requirements, just ask MFA, Immigration , or use your brains.Christopher ***********
@Luit ****************
If there was a requirement to continue to comply with the original conditions of application for the five year duration it would be stated. Nobody has been denied entrance. The only people subject to interrogation are trolls.Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
Why would they state the obvious? With all visa requirements are mentiond without explicitly mentioning a duration of the requirement because it is obvious the requirement is for the visa itself and not just for the application process. Everyone with common sense will understand.Christopher ***********
@Luit ****************
What matters is what happens on the ground. Nothing is happening.Luit *****************
@Christopher **********
Some people are reporting questioning, but then you say it is not genuineReply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Christopher ***********
@Luit ****************
Why feed the troll?James ********
Those who don't participate in the soft power activity are in my opinion Foolish ... prior reviews of the Ed Visa and Volunteer Visa show what can happen. Simple Solution... Participate in the soft power activity which your DTV Visa was approved. Period 🩸
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Winston ************
@Luit ****************
No, the visa is valid for 5 years! Full stop! Stop trying to induce unnecessary anxiety.Anonymous ******************
@Winston ***********
It's valid for 5 years but doesn't mean it guarantees you an entry. There is no requirement as much as there is no rule preventing an IO to request for documentation.Luit *****************
@Winston ***********
visa is valid for 5 years, condition is you have to comply with visa requirements, full stop.Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Neale *********
Theyre doing random checks and a load of people got blacklisted and deported recently.
So it's up to you if you think you don't need to satisfy the requirements of your visa
So it's up to you if you think you don't need to satisfy the requirements of your visa
Justin ********
@Neale ********
Ridiculous sanctimonious comment, I read every document associated with the application and there was no such "requirement" but make up whatever bootlicking nonsense you want. Submitting a dental appointment and being accepted it's obvious to anyone with a functioning brain that I was not expected to have 5 years of non-stop dental workAnonymous ******************
@Justin *******
No requirement doesn't mean full freedom for the future. It means flexibility for immigration to request whatever they like since there is no rule against it.Anonymous ******************
@Justin *******
was it a pre paid dental appointment? Any other restrictions?Justin ********
Anonymous participant 608 It wasn't prepaid, I literally booked it over Line. It's a dentist I've been going to for years for check-ups. (It was nothing but a check-up, yes I needed more appointments after to fix everything but this was not part of my DTV application)
Anonymous ******************
@Justin *******
thanks 😊Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Is there a minimum attendance duration for a cooking school under the soft power option in Thailand?
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